The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ecclesiastes \Ec*cle`si*as"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a preacher. See Ecclesiastic, a.] One of the canonical books of the Old Testament.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
c.1300, name given to one of the Old Testament books, traditionally ascribed to Solomon, from Greek ekklesiastes (see ecclesiastic), to render Hebrew qoheleth "one who addresses an assembly," from qahal "assembly." The title is technically the designation of the speaker, but that word throughout is usually rendered into English as "The Preacher" (which Klein calls "erroneous," as the modern meaning of preacher is not synonymous with the Greek word).
Wikipedia
'''Ecclesiastes ''' (; Greek: Ἐκκλησιαστής, Ekklēsiastēs, , Koheleth, Qoheleth) is one of 24 books of the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, where it is classified as one of the Ketuvim (or "Writings"). It is among the canonical Wisdom Books in the Old Testament of most denominations of Christianity. The title Ecclesiastes is a Latin transliteration of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Koheleth (meaning "Gatherer", but traditionally translated as "Teacher" or "Preacher"), the pseudonym used by the author of the book.
This anonymous work was probably composed in the last part of the 3rd century BC. The literary form is from the Middle Eastern tradition of the fictional autobiography, in which a character, describing himself as a king, relates his experiences and draws lessons from them, often self-critical. The author, introducing himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem" (i.e., Solomon) discusses the meaning of life and the best way to live. He proclaims all the actions of man to be inherently hevel, meaning "vain" or "futile", ("mere breath"), as both wise and foolish end in death. Koheleth clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life. In light of this senselessness, one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God. The book concludes with the injunction: "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone" (12:13).
Ecclesiastes has had a deep influence on Western literature. It contains several phrases that have resonated in British and American culture, and was quoted by Abraham Lincoln addressing Congress in 1862. American novelist Thomas Wolfe wrote: "[O]f all I have ever seen or learned, that book seems to me the noblest, the wisest, and the most powerful expression of man's life upon this earth—and also the highest flower of poetry, eloquence, and truth. I am not given to dogmatic judgments in the matter of literary creation, but if I had to make one I could say that Ecclesiastes is the greatest single piece of writing I have ever known, and the wisdom expressed in it the most lasting and profound."
Ecclesiastes is a book of the Hebrew Bible. It may also refer to:
- Ecclesiastes of Erasmus, or Ecclesiastes: On the Art of Preaching, by Desiderius Erasmus, published 1535
- Ecclesiastes Rabbah, an aggadic commentary on Ecclesiastes, included in the collection of the Midrash Rabbah.
- "Ecclesiastes", a track on Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" (1979 album).
Usage examples of "ecclesiastes".
A Rose for Ecclesiastes I I was busy translating one of my _Madrigals Macabre_ into Martian on the morning I was found acceptable.
As Dominic attacked the stairs, he spoke carefully chosen verses of Ecclesiastes to himself, reminding himself that other men had gone before him into life's small battles and large wars, and had emerged holding wisdom in both hands.
He also is found to have prophesied in his hooks, of which three are received as of canonical authority, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.
For when he says in another book, which is called Ecclesiastes, "There is no good for a man, except that he should eat and drink," 1121 what can he be morecredibly understood to say, than what belongs to the participation of this table which the Mediator of the New Testament Himself, the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, furnishes with His own body and blood?
For that this Ecclesiastes, in this sentence about eating and drinking, which he often repeats, and very much commends, does not savor the dainties of carnal pleasures, is made plain enough when he says, "It is better to go into the house of mourning than to go into the house of feasting.
I thought I had part of the Book of Ecclesiastes and maybe a little of Revelation, but I haven't even that now.
As Ecclesiastes says, there is nothing new under the sun and all that.